Cannes kicks off with huge standing ovation for Johnny Depp and an award for Michael Douglas

Johnny Depp’s first film since his defamation trial got a seven-minute-long standing ovation at Cannes, as the film festival kicked off in France.

The actor stars in historical drama Jeanne Du Barry as King Louis XV, alongside director Maiwenn, which opened the world-famous event on the French Riviera.

It comes a year after he won a court case against his ex-wife Amber Heard, who wrote an op-ed claiming Depp was an abuser.

Depp was greeted on the red carpet by hordes of fans in Cannes, with some reading “we love Johnny”, before getting a lengthy standing ovation.

There had been questions about Depp’s presence at the festival, following the high-profile trial last year, including to juror and actress Brie Larson, who was asked about her feelings around the film’s screening.

Larson, who has been a vocal advocate for the TimesUp campaign, replied: “Well, you’ll see, I guess, if I see it, and I don’t know how I’ll feel about it if I do.”

Elsewhere at the festival’s opening, Michael Douglas received an honorary Palme d’Or, the event’s highest honour.

He was reportedly visibly emotional as he received the honour, ahead of Depp’s opening film.

Douglas was joined on the red carpet by wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and their daughter Carys Zeta Douglas.

Among the other stars walking on the Cannes red carpet included Helen Mirren, Naomi Campbell and Uma Thurman.

Eyes will be on Cannes in the coming days, where those in the French town will be the first to view projects such as the latest Indiana Jones instalment, Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of A Flower Moon and Wes Anderson’s new star-packed film, Asteroid City.

Eight projects to watch in 2023 at the French celebration of cinema

Here are more of the best red carpet pictures from day one: